Adjsutable bracing apparatus for shoring walls



Oct. 18, 1960 G. J. WICKE 2,956,409

ADJUSTABLE BRACING APPARATUS FOR SHORING WALLS Filed Jan. 30, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV TOR. Glenn J. Wicks.

ATTORNEYS.

G. J. WICKE Oct. 18, 1960 ADJUSTABLE BRACING APPARATUS FOR SHORING WALLS Filed Jan. 30, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Glenn J. Make MW r A 'T'TORNE Y6.

United States Patent i ADJUSTABLE BRACING APPARATUS FOR SHORING WALLS Glenn J. Wicke, 535 Ash, Ottawa, Kans- Filed Jan. 30, 1957, Ser. No. 637,166

3 Claims. (Cl. 6141) This invention relates to shoring apparatus of the type disclosed in my application for patent filed March 19, 1956, and serially numbered 572,384 and now Patent No. 2,865,178, and more particularly to adjustable bracing mechanism for the apparatus.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a shoring apparatus comprising, one or more walls secured together by their ends and adapted to be moved along the ditch or trench being excavated to pre vent falling of the dirt and stone into the ditch while workmen are in the ditch; to provide means for resting sections of the shoring apparatus one on top of the other for difierent depth ditches; to provide adjustable bracing means between the walls of the shoring apparatus; to provide means on the walls of the structure for fastening the adjustable bracing apparatus thereto; and to provide a shoring apparatus of this character adapted to be quickly erected and moved along the bottom of the trench to support the side walls thereof.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a bracing means having a sleeve for receiving arms slidable therein for adjusting the length thereof and also having rods pivoted to the sleeve for securing the same to the vertical walls of the shoring apparatus; to provide rods for connecting to the end of the bracing mechanism for holding the walls in extended apart position; to provide fastening means on the end of the bracing mechanism which may be fastened to one section of the side walls and also to the section thereabove to eliminate excessive bracing so as to give as much free working space between the walls as possible; and to provide a device of this character simple and economical to manufacture.

In accomplishing these and other objects of my invention, I have provided improved details of structure the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the shoring apparatus in position in a trench.

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in cross-section taken on a line 22, Fig. 4, particularly illustrating the adjustable apparatus for the walls of the device.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the adjustable bracing means shown in a position for a smaller trench.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken on a line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the forked end of the bracing arms shown attached to the ears near the top edge of the top panel of the structure or when only one panel height is used.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a shoring apparatus embodying the features of my invention consisting of a plurality of panels or wall sections 2 and 3 shown in end to end position and also on the tops are like panels 4 and 5. Any number of panels may be used in end to end position and as many on top of each other or in edge relation as desired depending on the depth of the trench or ditch being dug.

2,956,409 Patented Oct. 18, 196i) ice The respective panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 are provided at each upper and lower corner edge at the right hand edges thereof with ears 6 and 6', and 7 and 7', provided with aligned openings 8 and 9. The opposite or left hand corners near the edges of the sections or panels are provided with spaced ears as indicated at 10 and 10 at the upper left hand corner, and 11 and 11 at the lower left hand corner, which are of somewhat elongated form and are provided with aligned openings 12 and 13, and 14 and 15. The cars 6 and 6', and 7 and 7', respectively, are provided with outwardly extending lugs 16 and 17 whereby lug 16 is adapted to extend between the ears 10 and 10 and lug 17 between cars 11 and 11, the lugs also being provided with an opening 18 aligning with the openings 12 and 13 in the ears 10 and 10, and 11 and 11', for receiving pins 19 for securing the panels 2 and 3, or 4 and 5, in end to end relation as illustrated in Fig. 1. The center of the panels are also provided with sets of ears 20 and 21 like ears 6 and 6', and 10 and 10', and extending from the ear 20' is a lug 22 similar to lugs 16 and 17. The lug- 22 is adapted to engage between the ears 2-1. The ears 20 and 21 and the lug 22 are provided with aligned openings identical with the openings in the sets of ears above and below to receive the pins 19 thus providing additional stability to the walls when in position in the trench as shown in Fig. 1. 7

Referring now to the bracing apparatus, 23 designates a sleeve of substantially square cross section adapted to receive the ends of shafts 24 and 25 which are slidably engaged in the sleeve and extend alongside each other with their free ends extending outwardly therefrom. The free ends are provided with yokes 26 and 27 and each yoke has spaced arms 28 and 29 provided with openings adapted to align with the openings in the ears 10 and 10', and 11 and 11', as shown in Fig. 1 so that the yokes 26 and 27 may be pivotally mounted on the cars by pins 30. It will be noted that the arm 28 of the yoke 26 engages between the ears 11 and 11' and the arm 29 of said yoke engages between the ears 10 and 10. With this form of invention as shown in Fig. 1 the panels are placed one on top of each other and the yoke 26 of the bracing members attaches to both of the panels by the yoke member just above described and this connection is used when four corners of the panels meet as shown in Fig. 1. The arm 28 of yoke 27 is attached between the ears 7 and 7 and the arm 29 of the yoke 27 willbe attached between the ears 6 and 6' on the opposite side wall.

Laterally extending lugs or extensions 31 and 32 are provided on opposite sides of the sleeve 23 near the opposite ends thereof and pivotally mounted thereto by pins 33 are, connecting rods 34 and 35 with their free ends provided with yokes 36 and 37 having spaced arms 38 and 39 similar to the yokes 26 and 27 and the arms 28 and 29 of the shafts 24 and 25, and are provided with aligned openings adapted to be secured to the respective ears by pins 40 whereby the arm 38 of yoke 36 engages between the ears 7 and 7 and the arm 39 between the ears 6 and 6' opposite the yoke 27. The arm 38 of yoke 37 is secured between the ears 11 and 11' and arm 39 of yoke 37 between the ears 10 and 10' opposite of yoke 26 (Fig. 2).

In connection of the bracing members the outer ends of the connecting rods 34 and 35 are moved outwardly from the sleeve member 23 a desired distance as required by the width of the ditch or trench being dug to push the panels firmly against the side walls of the ditch.

During this extension of the rods 34 and 35 the shafts 24 and 25 will slide in the sleeve 23 to accommodate the extension of said shafts due to the outward movement of the rods 34 and 35. V

In order to hold the rods in extended position and to brace the panels against the wall of the ditch the respective yokes 26 and 27, and 36 and 37, are provided with laterally extending lugs as indicated at 41, 42, 43 and 44 (Fig. 2) and provided with openings 45. Rigid brace members 46 'and 47 are provided for engaging therespective'lugs on the respective .ends of the yokes 26 and 37, and 36 and 27 respectively, the members having bifurcated ends as indicated at 48 provided with aligned openings' 49. The bifurcated ends of the rigid brace members are adapted to engage the lugs and are retained thereon by pins 50. The rigid members 46 and 47 will hold the bracing mechanism in place and prevent the panels from being moved inwardly by the pressure on the outside of the panel from the falling dirt, rock or other debris which exerts pressure on the walls and causes cave-ins.

It Willbe obvious that as many bracing members may be used as required. If only one panel height is used then it is suggested that the bracing member at the top is used in a manner in which the yokes 26 and 27, and 36 and 37, engage over the outer side of each set of ears instead of having the arms engaging between the ears on one panel and between the ears on the other panel as above describedg'lf'his is illustrated particularly in Fig. and also in the upper portion of Fig. 1.

i It will further be obvious that the width of the shoring apparatus is adjustable by having different lengths of rigid brace members 46 and 47 and by manipulating the connecting rods 34 and 35 the length of the bracing mechanism is also adjusted by sliding of the shafts 24 and 25 in the sleeve 23.

Each set of ears 20 and 21 in the middle near the vertical edges of the panels is adapted for fastening of rods 51 and 52 which are substantially the same length as the rigid members 46 and 47. Connected to each end of said rods by pins 53 are collars 54 and 55 having lugs 56 and 57 adapted to engage between the respective sets of cars 20 and 21 and secured thereto by pins 58 and 59. These rods 51 and 52 will provide additional stability to the shoring structure.

In some instances it may be necessary to use only one bracing mechanism either at the top or bottom of the panels depending upon the type of soil in which the ditch or trench is being dug.

Spaced grab rings 60 and 61 are provided near the edge of the panels as illustrated in Fig. l to which may be attached chains, cables or the like (not shown) to be attached to a tractor or other power means (also not shown) for movement of the shoring apparatus along the trench as particularly illustrated in my co-pending application, serially numbered 572,3 84.

Should a cave-in occur or should the sides of the trench exert an excessive pressure on the outside of the panels, the same may be loosened by air means also as shown and described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 572,384, which comprises a valve coupling 62 in the panels having a plurality of channels 63 and 64 leading therefrom to connect with a compressed air supply (not shown) whereby air may be delivered under pressure to the respective members 63 and 64 and passed through holes as indicated at 65 in panel 4 in the form of jets for cutting the soil back from the outer surfaces of the panels to .free the shoring for movement of the panels along the trench.

While I have illustrated the panels to be of steel sheeting, any form of panels may be utilized without departing from the spirit of my invention and it is understood various modifications and changes may be made also without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that I have provided an improved shoring apparatus and particularly adjustable bracing mechanism to hold the panels.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A shoring apparatus of the character described comprising, opposed panels for engaging the side walls of a trench, said panels having inwardly extending cars h respective end edges of the panels in aligned relation with each other, a pair of substantially parallel shafts extending diagonally between said'panels and having their adjacent ends movable longitudinally relative to each other with the remote ends of said respective shafts pivotally connected to the ears on said opposite panels, sleeve means engaging the adjacent end portions of the shafts for holding said end portions in longitudinally movable relation, oppositely extending ears on the respective ends of said sleeve means, a c onnect ing rod having one end pivotally connected to one of the ears on the sleeve means, a second connecting rod'having one end pivotally connected to the other car on the sleeve means, said connecting rods extending in opposite directions and being pivotally connected 'to diagonally opposite ends of the opposed pair of panels, said pivotal connection of said connecting rods and shafts being arranged whereby said connecting rods and shafts are swingable in a single plane perpendicular to the panels whereby said panels are movable from a collapsed condition to a position to engage the side walls of the trench, oppositely facing ears on the pivoted ends of said shafts, ears on said connecting rods near the pivoted connection of said rods to said panels, said ears on said connecting rods facing the ears on said shafts and in horizontal alignment therewith, and removable rigid members having one end pivotally connected to an ear on one of the shafts and the other end to an ear on one of the connecting rods and said members extending transversely of the opposed panels to hold said panels in spaced relation.

2. A shoring apparatus of the character described comprising, pairs of opposed panels in end to end relation for engaging the side walls of a trench, ears on the respective corners of said panels near the edges thereof extending inwardly and in longitudinal alignment with each other, means engaging the ears on the respective edges of the panels for holding the panels together end to end, a pair of substantially parallel shafts between each pair of opposed panels and extending diagonally between said panels with the adjacent ends movable longitudinally relative to each other with the remote ends of said respective shafts pivotally connected to said opposite panels, sleeve means engaging the adjacent end portions of the shafts for holding said end portions in longitudinally movable relation, oppositely extending ears on the respective ends of said sleeve means, a connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to one of the ears on the sleeve means, a second connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to the other ear on the sleeve means, said connecting rods extending in opposite directions and being pivotally connected to diagonally oppositeends of the opposed pair of panels, said pivotal connection of said connecting rods and shafts being arranged whereby said connecting rods and shafts are swingable in a single plane perpendicular to the panels whereby said panels are movable from a collapsed condition to a position to engage the side walls of the trench, and a removable rigid member pivotally mounted on each of the said other ends of the connecting rods and extending transversely of the oppsed panels and connected to the respective remote ends of the shafts.

3. A shoring apparatus of the character described comprising, pairs of opposed panels tiered in vertical position for engaging the side walls of a trench, said panels having inwardly extending cars at the respective corners thereof near the end edges of the panels and in aligned relation, a pair of substantially parallel shafts between each pair of opposed panels and extending diagonally between said panels with their adjacent ends movable longitudinally relative to each other, sleeve means engaging the adjacent end portions of the shafts for holding said end portions in longitudinally movable relation, a pair of'arms on each remote end of said shafts and being pivotally connected respectively to opposite end portions of said opposed panels whereby each said remote end has one arm connected to an ear on one panel 5 and the other arm connected to the adjacent ear on the panel in tiered relation therewith, connecting rods with adjacent ends pivotally connected to diagonally opposite ends of said sleeve means and each of the other ends of said connecting rods having a pair of arms thereon, said other ends of the connecting rods being pivotally connected on opposite end portions of the opposed panels whereby each said other end has one arm connected to an car on one panel and the other arm connected to the adjacent ear on the panel in tiered relation therewith, the said other end of each connecting rod being connected to one panel in spaced relation to the connection of the remote end of the shaft that is connected to said one panel and substantially opposite the remote end of the shaft connected to the opposed panel, said pivotal connections of said connecting rods and shafts being arranged whereby said connecting rods and shafts are swingable in a single plane perpendicular to the panels whereby said panels are movable from a collapsed condition to a position to engage the side walls of the trench, and a removable rigid member pivotally mounted on each of the said other ends of the connecting rods and extending transversely of the opposed panels and connected to the respective remote ends of the shafts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

